The Weekly Dip 1/21/22
Now of course when we say dip this time around, we mean to dip away from the waters, we don’t wanna see any skinny dipping like this is some deleted scene from “Euphoria”. The sheet of ice these artists have formed over this week’s waters is too thin for that so if you fall in, prepare for a cold water shock cause these fluids are substantially cold so don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Joey Cool feat Jon Connor - Thomas Shelby (Video)
Taken from his impeccable 4th effort under the Strange Music imprint, Joey Cool continues to showcase just how swankier he gets with each release. On this beautiful “Peaky Blinders” homage, which is a show I’ve been needing to get into, Joey takes on the role of the show’s main character to establish his dominance over those of weaker stature. Jon Connor, which is also name I haven’t heard in quite some time, comes through as Thomas’s sidekick & together, they annihilate even the smallest of villages, nobody is safe when these two come riding in on horseback. A modern day western if you will & a further emphasis on just how cold Joey Cool has been & will continue to be.
KPThaProfit & FMG Knotts - Standin On Biness (Single)
Back on the scene in 2022, KP Tha Profit links up with FMG Knotts to present the Veno The Builder produce record titled “Standin On Biness.” The suave-inducing single is fresh out the gate like a Rick Ross intro, built with power but potent like poetry. The track is the ambition anthem, speaking on past business plays that made future boss moves. It championed the knowledge of hustling illegally to now making legal money with the same tactics. It’s like the Jay-Z handbook, but this version is written by KP & FMG, who took the experiences in their street ways and shared the gems that made them who they are now in music. Both legends in the game like Peeway Kirkland, and it’s one of the finest joints to help continue the movement that making money the right way is the only way. Keep your mind in the business and not in the streets; you’ll see better for you and your people in the long run. Respect the message and the music even more; salute KP & FMG on the track that we hope more will follow in the near future. - Frank Campos
Keara Alyse - What Is Real (Video)
Earlier this week, an Instagram suggestion post introduced to us Houston songstress that goes by the name of Keara Alyse. The post at hand was her most recent record titled “What Is Real,” which was an instant sensation that followed up with a visual days later and became even more of an incredible release. From first listen, you can understand why since this painful ballad tells the tale of her not knowing what is real in an expiring relationship. One minute things are exceptional; then the next is misery that follows with no reason whatsoever to have gone this route. She questions if she might be the reason or if she makes herself become hurt seeing red flags presents but chooses to see past it hoping it gets better. I can speak for myself where I had these moments in past relationships, which leads to heartache; it could be the personable factor that plays a part in feeling very strong towards this record, but I’m sure I’m not the only one. I will surely be going back and listening to more of her catalog, starting with her album “25,” where I hope to see more of her music come our way, which we be more than happy to post for our viewership to be introduced to such an angelic voice. - Frank Campos
Vontay Galaxy - Diamonds (Video)
Isn’t it beautiful how so many beautiful people are connected? I wouldn’t have come across Vontay if it weren’t for JMAC & then Young Badger is behind this production & he & Mac are connected, the stars are aligning! On “Diamonds” however, Vontay gets to enhance the diamond like glistening all his aligned stars are emitting. Not only does Vontay have the lyrics but he has the melodies to match them as well in his sing songy performance here. The message is clear as day but the luster is causing the lights to reflect off of it so it may not be so clear for some but still he’s encouraging you to allow the pressure to happen, it’s the only way to create diamonds in the rough. Young Badger gives Galaxy to perfect atmosphere for him to float over, ever so gracefully shooting past the stars into a galaxy of his own & only few can circle around his orbit.
Big K.R.I.T - So Cool (Single)
Getting hot like a skillet is Big K.R.I.T, who appeared this week after being gone from hiatus with a groovy single titled “So Cool.” The soft tempo production is complimented well with the track's infectious chorus while K.R.I.T. channels his inner Andre 3stacks a bit and bounces all over the record with sweet melodies & rhythm. The track sounds like a party in the truck with positivity and wholeheartedly emotions in the air; this is one of the finest tracks we’ve seen from Big K.R.I.T, who’s tackling a new sound and making a proper example of how dynamic is versatility is in music. You can hear this bass boosted, or you can listen to this accompanied by people who are out to have a good time; this is a southern gem and will be the show starter for any function for this year. If this is any indication of what we can expect to see from K.R.I.T, then best believe we’re here to receive it all and support it by any means necessary. - Frank Campos
Vintage Lee - B2B (Video)
I remember first being introduced to Vintage Lee by her single with MadeInTyo titled “Vintage Like Lee” and automatically loving her prowess. The way her vocals sounded so wavy when she started rhyming with her wicked ways of being menace with the raps had her become one of our favorite. It had been a while since we had seen her names on outlets or on the timeline, but that changed this morning when I saw she dropped a new release that followed simultaneously with a visual titled “B2b”. The single & visual is just as eccentric as she is that’s flourishing with a flow that transcends the production to echelon heights, and it’s easy to see and hear why off the first few seconds of the record. Off the wall with creativity, the raps are diabolical from start to finish, making this a proper welcome back onto the music scene. I had to make sure views & plays were run up on this release since the title means she will be following it up soon and applying pressure more this year. Expect to see impactful moves from Vintage Lee and get familiar with your music if you are still sleeping on her cause she’s sure going to wake your ass up, no doubt. - Frank Campos
Quentin Arispe feat Sami Serrano - Restless And Tired
The story behind this record is really heartbreaking & I advise you go to Quentin’s Instagram to read the latest post concerning this record. What’s beautiful however, is how both artists came out of that turmoil & were able to bless us with this tearjerker of a slow ballad. The record is simply about keeping on, in the face of adversity, it’s easier said than done but it is possible to overcome any hardships God may set in our paths. We all could learn a little something about holding onto faith in these trying times by taking it from these two. Everybody is “Restless And Tired” in one way or another & too easily do we give up when things become too hard to handle when maybe all we need is a little rest before we can get back to living life to the fullest cause you just never know. On Quentin’s Instagram, you’ll find some beautiful visuals to accompany the poignant tune, a recap of Quentin’s 2021.
Papa Roach - Stand Up
It’s beautiful to see our legends, let alone a band I, as well as many of us grew up with, still churning out great music. Not many bands have been able to survive the many changes to that genre’s climate, as well as the music industry as a whole so it’s beautiful to see Papa Roach not only adapt to their surroundings but experiment with different sounds while still sounding like themselves. Lately, their singles have been taking a more Rock/Rap approach, which is honestly just reminiscent of the time period in which they came up in. On “Stand Up”, they come through with an anthem that’ll make the kids run as rampant as they did the 1st time they heard “Last Resort”. That angst within them has never left & they encourage everybody to stand up for something or fall for nothing at all, your choice.
JMAC the Dragon feat Aye Cue - No Discussion
JMAC on the Weekly Dip back to back? That’s just how good an MC he is, providing us with just the right amount of heat we need in this inclement weather of ours. I believe this is JMAC & Aye Cue’s 3rd collaboration together & it honestly blows “Wurk” & “Double Out” out the now melted sheet of ice that was preventing us from taking a dip, which we will need after getting scorched by his fiery breath. It ain’t nothing to discuss when these two gentlemen are sparring, the only goal is to annihilate the competition, so much so that they won’t even wish to be part of the discussion, any discussion at that. It’s always nice to hear Aye Cue on his pure MC shit, we’re so used to hearing him just be the smooth player he is but don’t get it twisted cause he can still wreak havoc on the mic if need be.
Russ feat Hailey Knox - Remember Me (Remix)
Yeah, we already know we covered the original to this song last week but this is Russ we’re talking about & here’s just yet, another beautiful example in why I’ve grown to fuck with Russ so heavily. Not too long after the release of this single, Russ challenged fans to fill in an open slot he had added to this song so you know the fans showed out but of course only one was gonna be able to execute & Hailey was that one. Her voice was too impeccable for Russ to skip out on the opportunity to, not only continue to service his fans by adding one to his record so as to enhance it more than it already is but to also give someone who I’m sure looks up to him highly, an opportunity to not only work with her favorite artist but to also boost her own solo career, as well as confidence cause I’m sure this has gained her so many new supporters & that’s as beautiful as her performance here. Now all we need is for Russ to bless one of our hometown heroes in Angel Cintron with an opportunity like this, being that he’s already acknowledged her talent, let alone existence & there’s no doubt in my mind now after hearing this, that it’ll happen sooner rather than later.
Yelawolf feat Shooter Jennings - Make Me A Believer (Video)
Ever since Wolf came into his own, he’s been on a roll. These are not the days of Trunk Muzik or the Radioactive era but more so a continuance of his “Arena Rap” days, real Wolf supporters know that era. There is nobody more country than Wolf, only person who comes close is K.R.I.T., which when are we getting that “Country Cousins” album fellas? Wolf already done many collaborations with other artists & producers & it seems he’s keeping it all in house. The son of Waylon Jennings continues to carry on his father’s legacy in making beautiful music. I can’t say we’ve ever heard Wolf go full 70’s rockstar til now, he got the live band & isn’t rapping, he’s belting out these lyrics in such a hardcore fashion that has us even more excited for this upcoming collaborative effort. Can you believe that though, 5 albums last year & now we getting hit with another & we appreciate Wolf’s prolific nature as of late.
ChessNotCheckers feat Andrew Kelly - Masterball
This shit is Chess not Checkers to the same named MC, who surprised me so much with his performance here. I had never heard of him until I came across this collab on my Twitter timeline, so much love to Andrew Kelly for putting me onto another great lyricist in this cat. The production on here is so subdued & is the perfect atmosphere for them to warp our fragile little minds with their elite level yet nonchalant lyricism. Not only do both MC’s keep up with one another in terms of barring out but they also get pretty introspective in their verses, something that I honestly wasn’t expecting with a track paying homage Pokémon. I just love seeing the gaming world collide with Hip Hop & I hope to see more of it, I know the Twitch community would eat this record up!